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Cimas ups security after losing $1,2m in fraudulent claims

Business
THE country’s second biggest medical aid society, Cimas, has tightened its security following the loss of a $1, 2 million in fraudulent claims in the first quarter of 2015, the company has said.

THE country’s second biggest medical aid society, Cimas, has tightened its security following the loss of a $1, 2 million in fraudulent claims in the first quarter of 2015, the company has said.

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

In a statement, Cimas said its upgraded online drug payment facility would incorporate a one-time PIN (OTP) system to make it more secure and less susceptible to fraud.

Cimas Medical Aid Division managing director Roderick Takawira said the society hoped to be able to introduce the upgraded online system within the next few months after installing the necessary software and fully testing it.

The facility enables pharmacists to obtain online approval for drug purchases by Cimas members and submit the members’ claims online.

“The new upgraded online facility will involve the use of a one-time PIN (personal identification number), which will be sent to a member’s registered mobile phone number every time he or she purchases drugs at a pharmacy using the online drug facility. The PIN number, which can only be used once, will be used to close the purchase,” Cimas said.

Cimas has begun asking members to register their mobile phone number with it in preparation for the re-introduction of the online facility. When purchasing drugs, Cimas said, the member would need, in addition to a valid prescription, his or her Cimas membership card, national identification card and the cellphone that has the number that is registered with Cimas.

“Restrictions will also be introduced on how often the facility may be used and how many drugs can be purchased using it without prior authorisation,” said Cimas.

The facility, according to Cimas, was suspended earlier in the year after evidence of extensive fraud in online claims was discovered. It was also suspended to protect Cimas members’ funds, while ways of making the facility more secure were devised. Since then members have been paying for their drug purchases and claiming a refund of the cost from Cimas, it said.

Takawira said the society has been doing everything it could to ensure that members were reimbursed quickly for their drug payments, while the online payment facility remains suspended.

“However, we want to see the convenience of an online payment facility restored as soon as possible. We are hoping this will be possible within the next few months,” Takawira said.